Duplicating machines



Oct. 30, 1962 J. L. ROGERS ET AL DUPLICATING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1959 llllli/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/ /fl ven 7211:: Jesse Z Rogers Han/1 5. 507150012? Oct. 30, 1962 J. L. ROGERS ET AL DUPLICATING MACHINES a 5 w v 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jesse 1 Rogers flail/ 5 firms/Pong Filed Sept. 9.

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DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 /n we: 721's Jesse 1.. Rogers Hank firms/i017? 3,060,847 DUPLICATING MACS Jesse L. Rogers, 2014 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D.C., and Frank E. Armstrong, Landover, Md. Filed Sept. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 838,863 2 Claims. (Cl. 101-1325) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in duplicating machines such as are used for reproducing one or more copies by impression from a master mounted upon a rotary cylinder.

In the use of such machines it is often desirable to block out a certain portion or portions of the data appearing on the master so that such portion or portions are not reproduced on the copies. In conventional practice this is accomplished by positioning a piece of blocking or masking material against the area of the master which is to be blocked out and adhesively, magnetically or otherwise securing the masking material in position. This procedure, however is not only diflicult and time consuming, but often results in error and waste when the masking material accidentally shifts its position. Moreover, in some instances the masking material permanently damages the master so that the latter is not subsequently usable in toto.

The principal object of this invention is to completely eliminate the various disadvantages above outlined, this being attained by the provision of means for quickly, easily and dependably blocking out any desired portion or portions of the master without the use of any masking material whatever.

Conventional duplicating machines usually employ an impression roller for pressing the copy against the master on the rotary cylinder, it being understood, of course, that in the absence of such pressure, an impression from the master on the copy would not be possible. The present invention concerns itself primarly with a novel structural arrangement of the impression roller which, rather than being unitary as in the past, in this instance consists of a plurality of individual sections disposed in substantially axially aligned relation longitudinally of the cylinder. The roller sections are individually and independently movable in and out of cooperative engagement with the cylinder, that is, so that they either press against the cylinder or do not press against the same, and since the individual roller sections act only on the respective areas of the copy with which they come in contact, it will be apparent that any desired area or areas of the master may be prevented from reproducing on the copy by simply moving the appropriate section or sections of the impression roller out of its cooperating relation with the cylinder.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel means for movably holding the individual impression roller sections and electro-magnetic means for selectively moving the same to their inoperative or blocking out position.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of switch means for energizing the aforementioned electro-magnenic means, such switch means comprising a plurality of individual switches disposed in a novel keyboard arrangement which permits any one switch to be actuated alone, or several switches actuated simultaneously in a group.

Another feature of the invention involves the provision of means for quickly and easily cancelling the setting of the impression roller sections after a run of the desired number of copies from the master, whereupon the switch keyboard may again be actuated to block out the same or other areas of the master, as desired.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for retaining a particular group setting 3,h@,84? Patented Oct. 30, 1952 of switches for blocking out particular areas, such group setting being obtainable repeatedly, even after actuation of the aforementioned cancelling means, by energization of only one switch in the entire group.

As will be apparent, since the individual sections of the impression roller are aligned longitudinally of the rotary cylinder on which the master is circumferentially wrapped, the moving of any one of the roller sections out of operative engagement with the cylinder will produce a blocked out area or strip on the copy which corresponds in width to the individual roller section and extends across the copy in a direction circumferential of the cylinder. However, occasions may arise when it is not desired to block out the entire circumferential length of this area or strip, and consequently, another important feature of the invention lies in the provision of means whereby any one or more of the roller sections may be moved out of operative engagement with the cylinder only for a predetermined portion of the circumference of the cylinder, so that only a particular portion of the master may be blocked out in a circumferential direction by any one or more of the roller sections.

In line with the last mentioned feature, another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby one, two, or more circumferentially spaced portions of the master may be blocked out in the same circumferential area or strip by any one or more of the roller sections, so that, within reasonable limits such as are encountered under normal operating conditions, it is possible to block out widely scattered as well as closely adjacent areas, some large and some as small as one-third of an inch square.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, easy, convenient and dependable operation, and in its adaptability for embodiment in duplicating machines of various sizes and types.

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application Serial No. 801,552 filed March 24, 1959 by Jesse L. Rogers, now US. Patent No. 3,019,726.

With the foregoing more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of references are used to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a duplicating machine embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary front elevational View thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the same;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view on an enlarged scale, showing, inter alia, the sectional impression roller, roller section holders and, by dotted lines, solenoids or electro-magnets for actuating the same;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 5-5 in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing two of the roller sections and holders on their supporting shaft;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an end portion of the supporting shaft;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the switch keyboard;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 99 in FIG- URE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the keyboard;

FIGURE 11 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components used in the invention;

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an example of blocked out areas on a master sheet employed with the apparatus of FIGURES 1-11;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing one end portion of the cylinder with means for blocking out only a predetermined portion of a circumferentially oriented strip of the master;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 1414 in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary top plan view of the duplicating machine equipped with means for blocking out one or more circumferentially spaced portions of the circumferentially oriented strip of the master;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken substantially in the plane of the line 1616 in FIGURE 15 FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary elevational view, taken substantially in the direction of the arrow 17 in FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken substantially in the plane of the line 18-18 in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken substantially in the plane of the line 19-19 in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 20 is a wiring diagram, similar to that shown in FIGURE 11 but illustrating the electrical components of the entire apparatus, including that shown in FIGURES 1319;

FIGURES 21 and 22 are diagrammatic illustrations showing examples of blocked out areas on a master sheet employing the apparatus of FIGURES l3 and 15, respec tively;

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary top plan view showing one end portion of the cylinder with a modified embodiment of the means for blocking out predetermined portions of a circumferentially oriented strip of the master;

FIGURE 24 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2424 on FIGURE 23;

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional detail on an enlarged scale of the means shown in FIG- URES 23 and 24;

FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the means shown in FIGURE 25; and

FIGURE 27 is a wiring diagram, similar to that shown in the lower right-hand portion of FIGURE 20, but in association with the embodiment of FIGURES 2326.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly to FIGURES 1-12 inclusive, the general reference numeral 15 design-ates a suitable duplicating machine, including a suitable frame or housing 16 having a shaft 17 journalled therein to support the usual rotary cylinder 18. The shaft 17 is rotated in any suitable manner, such as for example, by gearing 19, it being understood that only those portions of the machine are illustrated which are concerned with the invention, while the arrangement of the other portions of the machine is conventional and requires no description or illustration herein.

In conventional practice a unitary impression roller is rotatably mounted on a shaft substantially under the cylinder for pressing a copy sheet against the master sheet which the cylinder carries, the cylinder usually being of metallic construction and the impression roller having a covering of rubber, or the like, for engaging the copy. However, in accordance with the invention, the impression roller is not unitary, but consists of a plurality of individual disc-like sections 20 which are disposed in substantial axial alignment on a rigid supporting shaft 21 mounted in the frame 16 longitudinally under the cylinder 18. Since the roller sections 20 are metallic, a covering of rubber, or the like, 18 is provided on the cylinder 18,

- 4 as shown in FIGURE 5, so as to cushion the copy sheet when the metallic roller sections engage the same.

As is best shown in FIGURE 6, each of the roller sections 24 is provided with a bushing 22 which is pressed or otherwise suitably secured therein, and the portion of the roller section surrounding the bushing is slightly thicker than its peripheral portion, so that when the several roller sections are assembled in contacting relation on the shaft 21, their peripheral portions are slightly spaced apart as shown in FIGURE 4, whereby to reduce friction between the adjacent roller sections when one is moved relative to another.

The shaft 21 has cylindrical end portions for mounting in the frame 16, but the intermediate portion of the shaft which carries the roller sections '29 is of a modified crosssection, having its lower half of a semi-cylindrical form corresponding in radius to the inside radius of the bushings 22, while its upper half is relieved as indicated at 21a in FIGURE 7, so that the top to bottom distance or thickness of the intermediate portion of the shaft is somewhat less than the inside diameter of the bushings. By virtue of this arrangement, the roller sections 20 are mo able upwardly and downwardly on their rigid supporting shaft 21, that is, between the two positions shown in the left-hand and right-hand portions of FIGURE 6. Movement of the roller sections in a forward and backward direction on the shaft is prevented by the full radius of the lower half of the shaft as already noted, and when a roller section is moved upwardly to contact the cylinder 18 as shown in the left-hand portion of FIGURE 6, the lower half of its bushing is in supporting engagement with the complemental lower half of the shaft and sufiicient area of bearing contact is thus available. On the other hand, if the roller section is lowered so that the upper part of its bushing is in contact with the relieved upper portion 21a of the shaft, the roller section is moved out of cooperating engagement with the cylinder by some distance as indicated at 23, and since under such conditions the roller section is not subjected to rotation, its bearing contact with the shaft is relatively unimportant.

Each of the roller sections 20 is rotatably accommodated in a suitable holder '24 which, as is best shown in FIGURE 5, includes a pair of curved keeper members 24a, 24b and an elongated base member 24c. A recess 24d exists between the members 24a, 24b in which the roller section is disposed, and an idler roller 25 is rotatably mounted on a pin 26 in the holder at the bottom of the recess 24d to engage the periphery of the roller section with the minimum of friction.

A pair of supporting rods 27 are provided in the frame 16 in parallel with and at opposite sides of the shaft 21, and the base portions 24c of the holders 24 are pivotally mounted on these rods in an alternate manner, one holder being pivoted on one rod, the next holder on the other rod, etc., so that only every second holder is pivoted on the same rodv Tubular spacers 28 are provided on the rods between the adjacent holders, as shown in FIGURE 4. The several holders may be individually and inde pendently raised or lowered about their pivot rods, so as to correspondingly raise or lower the respective roller sections 24} in and out of cooperating relation with the cylinder 13. During their lowering movement, the roller sections are drawn downwardly by the free extremities of the members 24a, 24b of the respective holders, while upward movement of the roller sections is effected by the holders through the medium of the idler rollers 25, the roller sections being rotatably supported by the shaft 21 and entirely free to rotate in the holder recesses 24d.

The lowering of the holders is effected by individual solenoids or electro-magnets 29 having reciprocable armatures 29a pivoted at 30 to connecting links 31 which, in turn, are pivoted at '32 to the base portions 24c of the holders 24, at points distant from the pivotal mounting of these base portions on the rods 27.

Since the windings of the electro-magnets 29 are of substantial thickness in comparison to the relatively thin holders 24, the electro-magnets or solenoids are arranged in several banks as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, four such banks being shown for illustrative purposes, two on each side of the shaft 21. The connecting link 31 of one holder '24 is pivoted to the armature of a solenoid, for example, in the upper left bank as viewed in FIGURE 5, the link of the next holder to a solenoid in the upper right bank, the link of the next holder to a solenoid in the lower left bank, the link of the next holder to a solenoid in the lower right bank, et cetera, so that the solenoids in each bank are spaced apart by a distance equivalent to the spacing of four adjacent holders, which distance is sufiicient to provide clearance between the windings of the adjacent solenoids.

The solenoids are provided with apertured mounting cars 33 whereby they are secured to suitable mounting plates 34 in the frame 16 by suitable bolts or screws 35. These bolts or screws also serve as mounting means for a plurality of wire springs 36, one such spring being associated with each solenoid and having a free end portion 36a bearing upwardly against the pivot 39 so as to urge the link 31 upwardly and correspondingly urge the associated holder 24 upwardly on its pivot rod 27, thereby urging the associated roller section 2%} upwardly into its cooperating relation with the cylinder 18. However, when the solenoid is energized, the link 31 is drawn downwardly against the action of the spring 36 and the roller section 26 is retracted from its operative engagement with the cylinder, as will be clearly understood.

Before proceeding to describe the control means for the several solenoids, an explanation should be given as to the relationship of the individual roller sections 20 to the master on the cylinder 18 and copies to be made therefrom.

For illustrative purposes it may be assumed that the master sheet 37, shown in FIGURE 12, is of legal size measuring 8 /2 x 13'', and is placed on the cylinder 13 lengthwise, with its 13" dimension extending longitudinally of the cylinder. Allowing for a one-half inch clear space at the top and bottom of the sheet, the working area of the sheet is 12 inches long, or 12 inches wide in terms of its extent horizontally of the machine, which is the position occupied by the cylinder. In FIGURE 12, the aforementioned half-inch clearances at the top and bottom of the sheet are indicated at 33, and the width of the working area is shown at 39.

Double-spaced lines of typewriting are one-third of an inch apart, thus making it possible to have thirty-six lines of typewritten data within the aforementioned 12- inch working dimension of the master sheet, corresponding to the thirty-six spaces or strips shown at 449, each one-third of an inch in Width. On the basis of this arrangement the bushings 22 of the roller sections 29 are each one-third of an inch in width or thickness, whereby the several roller sections are in alignment with the respective spaces 4% of the master sheet 37 when the latter is positioned on the cylinder 18. Consequently, if all of the roller sections are permitted to be urged by their springs 36 against a copy sheet contacting the master, the data appearing in all of the spaces 40 on the master will be reproduced by impression on the copy during the duplicating procedure. However, if any one or more of the roller sections 23* are retracted from the cylinder by their respective solenoids 29, the particular space or spaces 40 of the master sheet will be effectively blocked out and prevented from making an impression on the copy. In this manner, any one or more of the spaces 40 of the master may be readily blocked out by simply energizing the appropriate solenoid or solenoids, as will be clearly understood.

It should be noted, of course, that the foregoing example of dimensions, line spacings, et cetera, is given for illustrative purposes only, and that the teachings of the invention are applicable to various diiferent sizes of sheets, line spacing, etc., in the light of the proportions described, specifically, that the impression roller is divided into as many sections as may reasonably be expected to be required for blocking out operations, each such sec tion corresponding in width to the width of the individual area of the master which is to be blocked out, consistent with limitations of minimum dimensions in which the various parts of the invention can reasonably be made.

Novel control means are provided for energizing and tie-energizing the various solenoids 29, these means being so arranged that control of the solenoids may be exercised either individually and independently of one another, or in groups. As such, the control means include a plurality of momentary contact switches 41 which are disposed in a keyboard arrangement on the frame or housing 16 of the machine. These switches are arranged in two superposed or vertically offset banks, each switch comprising, as is best shown in FIGURE 9, a relatively stationary contact member 42 and a relatively movable or depressible contact member 43. The member 43 is formed from resilient material and normally assumes a separated position from the member 42. The switch also includes a depressible actuating element or finger-piece 41a formed from resilient material, the element 410 being superposed on the switch member 43 and anchored therewith at one end, such as by a screw 44, to a common supporting bar 45 for the several switches in the same bank. Similarly, the contact member 42 of the switch is secured at one end to a common supporting bar 46 by a screw 47, the bars 45, 46 preferably being formed from suitable insulating material.

When the resilient finger-piece 41a of the switch is depressed, the contact members 42, 43 are brought together and flow of current through the switch is established, it being noted that the members 42, 43 are provided with wire leads 43, 49, respectively, for placing them in circuit with a source of current and the associated solenoid 29, as will be hereinafter described.

It will be also noted that the finger-pieces 41a of the switches in the upper bank of the keyboard are somewhat wider than those in the lower bank and overlap the same, as illustrated. As such, the finger-pieces of all the switches in the two banks may be depressed individually and independently of one another, yet, one finger may be used for depressing a switch in the upper bank simultaneously with one or both adjacent switches in the lower bank. This arrangement is particularly useful when it is desired to block out two or three adjacent spaces of the master sheet simultaneously by the use of only one finger. To further afford this facility, the finger-pieces of the switches in the upper bank are somewhat shorter than those in the lower bank, as illustrated, the difference in length of the finger-pieces permitting convenient depression of any one switch, as well as a group of two or three.

The keyboard of switches is preferably disposed at the front of the machine on a supporting panel 50' which is located above the usual feed table or platform 51 on which copy sheets are fed to the cylinder 18. One switch is provided for controlling the operation of the particular solenoid 29 of each roller section 20, and the keyboard also includes an additional switch 52 which is used for cancelling the blocking out settings of the various switches 41, as will be hereinafter explained. The panel 50 has a depending, vertical portion 50a which extends downwardly toward the table 51 and is spaced from the latter by an extent sufiicient to permit passage of a copy sheet to the cylinder 18. The panel portion 50a is inscribed with reference lines 53, spaced apart by a width or distance corresponding to the width of the spaces 40 of the master sheet, and the lines 53 are suitably numbered as indicated at 54 so that the particular space on the master sheet which can be blocked out by the actuation of any particular switch may be easily identified. Moreover, suitable indicator lamps 55 are provided on the panel portion 50a in alignment with the respective reference lines 53, these lamps being in circuit with the respective switches as will be hereinafter described, whereby a lamp connected with a particular switch is energized when the switch is actuated, so as to indicate to the operator the particular space or area of the master sheet which is being blocked out.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of FIGURE 11, it will be noted that each switch 41 actuates the associated solenoid 29 through the medium of a relay 56, such a relay having a movable pole-piece 56a which normally rests against a pair of mutually insulated contacts 57, 58. A pair of mutually insulated contacts 59, 60 are provided in opposing relation to the contacts 57, 58, and when the relay is energized, the pole-piece 56a is separated from the contacts 57, 58 and brought against the contacts 59, 60. Current is supplied to the pole-piece by a conductor 61 and the contact 59 is connected to one side of the winding of the relay as indicated at 62, the leads 48, 49 of the switch 41 being connected to the relay in such manner that the switch is in parallel with the relay contacts 56a, 59. The other side of the relay winding is connected to the ground as shown at 63; As a result, when a particular switch 41 is actuated so as to close the same, current will travel from the supply conductor 61 through the connection 62 and through the relay winding to the ground 63, thus causing the relay to close and establish current flow through the contacts 56a, 59 again through the winding of the relay, whereby the relay remains closed even after depression of the momentary contact switch 41 is discontinued. The aforementioned indicator lamp of the switch is connected in series with a suitable resistor 64 between the contact 59 and the ground '63, whereby the lamp is energized simultaneously with the closing of the relay.

The second contact side 56a, 60 of the relay is electrically separate from the side 56a, 59 and is used for closing the circuit through the solenoid 29 when the relay is closed, the solenoid being connected to the contact 60 as indicated at 65 and to the ground 63 as indicated at 66. It will be apparent from the foregoing that upon closing of any particular switch 41, the corresponding relay 56 will be closed and the corresponding indicator lamp 55 and solenoid 29 energized to retract, by the energization of the solenoid, the corresponding impression roller section 20 from its cooperating relation with the cylinder 13 to effect blocking out of the corresponding area of the master sheet on the cylinder, the lamp 55 indicating the particular area which is being blocked out. As shown in FIGURE 11, the several switches, relays, lamps and solenoids are each connected in parallel to afford their independent operation for each individual impression roller section.

It will also be appreciated from the foregoing that upon actuation of each switch 41, the associated relay 56 will remain closed and the associated roller section inactive (in its blocking out position), as long as current is being delivered through the supply conductor 61. Thus, means are provided for simultaneously cancelling the setting of all components such as may be in the blocking out position, the use of such cancelling means being desirable, for example, when a given run of copies has been made from a blocked out master and a different blocking out arrangement is to be used in a subsequent run.

These cancelling means include the aforementioned switch 52 which is in circuit with a relay 67, similar to the relays 56. The contacts 56a, 57 of the relay 67 are in series with the supply conductor 61 and a branch 68 extends from the supply conductor through the relay winding and switch 52 to the ground 63, as shown. In the inactive position of the relay 67, the contacts 56a and 57 are closed, thus facilitating flow of current to the relays 56 for the purpose of retracting the roller sections 20 from the cylinder 18. However, when the roller sections are to be returned to their operative positions against the cylinder, theswitch 52 is simply depressed to close the circuit through the winding of the relay 67, whereupon separation of the contacts 56a, 57 interrupts the flow of current to the relays 56 and simultaneously cancels the setting of all such roller sections which may have been in their blocking out positions.

The several relays 56 and the relay 67 together with their associated Wiring are housed in a suitable compartment 69 on the machine frame or housing 16.

In the duplicating art certain conditions often arise when it is necessary or desirable to block out'certain groups of the spaces 49 on repeated occasions after cancelling, and when the group to be blocked out includes a multiplicity of adjacent spaces, it would normally be necessary to depress as many of the switches 41 to correspond with the adjacent spaces in the group. The invention avoids this disadvantage by the provision of means for blocking out the several adjacent spaces in the group by the depression of only one switch, as will be presently described.

These means involve the provision of another set of manually actuated switches 78 which are arranged in a single bank at the front of the machine adjacent the switch keyboard 41 and are appropriately numbered as indicated at 71, to correspond with the aforementioned reference lines 53.

The switches 70 are bridged in series across the switches 41, as for example, across the leads 48 of the switches 41, so that when, for example, the three switches 70 shown in FIGURE 11 are closed, the relays 56 are energized simultaneously upon closing any single one of the switches 41. Thus, in practice, when it is desired to block out, for example, ten adjacent spaces of the master sheet, the ten switches 70 corresponding to those spaces are closed and the blocking out operation is eifected simply by closing any one of the ten switches 41 in the group. Upon cancellation of the ten block outs by the switch 52, the same ten spaces may again be blocked out by closing of any one of the ten switches 41, as long as the ten switches 70 are still closed. The switches 70, of course, are of a conventional type adapted to remain either open or closed, and shifted manually from one position to the other.

The arrangement of the invention as described provides for blocking out of the required area of the master manually by the operator of the machine through manipulation of the appropriate switches. However, it is also within the concept of the invention to provide for automatic blocking out, such as for example, by utilizing photoelectric cell means or some other conventional scanning device in conjunction with perforations, opaque markings or other suitable means detectable by the scanning device, on the leading edge portion of each copy sheet which is inserted into the machine. In such an arrangement the scanning device means are in circuit with the relays 56 in substitution for the switches 41, and the blocking out of any particular space of the master is effected automatically when the aperture or other marking on the leading edge of the copy sheet is detected by the scanning means. The apertures or other markings, of course, are co-ordinated on the copy sheet in relation with or to the respective spaces or areas of the master which they block, and by having such markings spaced inwardly from the leading edge of the copy sheet, it is possible to block out only that portion of the space disposed between the marking and the trailing edge of the sheet. In this arrangement of the invention the use of the switches 41, 70 is completely eliminated, while the indicator lights 55 are also unnecessary in view of the automatic operation involved. The cancelling switch 52 may also be arranged for automatic closing with the passage of each copy sheet out of the machine. 7

The accompanying FlGURES 13-22 illustrate additional control means for the electro-rnagnets 29 which actuate the impression roller sections 20, whereby the operating scope and adaptabiilty of the blocking out apparatus are considerably broadened. 'With the device as heretofore disclosed and illustrated in FIGURE 12, when one or more roller sections are moved out of engagement with the cylinder, one or more strips or areas of the master sheet are blocked out, such strips extending transversely of the sheet and circumferentially of the cylinder around which the master is wrapped. However, situations arise when it is not desired to block out the entire length of the strip, but only a portion thereof, as for example is illustrated in FIGURE 21. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to maintain the roller section (of the particular strip) in engagement with the cylinder during rotation of the latter until a point is reached where a block out is to be made, at which time the roller section is moved out of engagement with the cylinder and so held until a point is reached where the block out is to be terminated, whereupon the roller section is again brought in engagement with the cylinder. Obviously, the block out may be required at any point along the length of the circumferentially oriented strip, and may be of any length or circumferential extent.

FIGURES l3, l4 and 20 illustrate control means whereby such blocking out action may be attained. These means involve the provision of two switches 72, 73 which are suitably mounted adjacent one end of the cylinder 18 for cooperation with a pair of arm-shaped actuators 74, 75, respectively, carried on the cylinder shaft 17. The switches 72, 73 are of the momentary contact type, being normally open but closed upon depression of buttons, or the like, 76, 77, with which they are equipped. The actuators 74, 75 are rotatably positioned on the shaft 17 for adjustment relative to each other and to the cylinder in a circumferential direction, but once adjusted, the actuators rotate with the cylinder so that their position relative to the cylinder does not change until a readjustment is made. For this purpose, the actuators are provided with spring-pressed detent means 78 engageable with recesses or notches 79 formed in the end of the cylinder, and it will be also noted that the actuators have angulated and pointed outer ends 80 coacting with markings 81 provided circumferentially on the end portion of the cylinder. The actuators 74, 75 are also provided with projections 82, 83, respectively, which are adapted to engage the buttons 76, 77 of the respective switches 72, 73 during rotation of the cylinder, the projections 82, 83 being disposed on the actuators at difierent distances from the shaft 17 so that the respective buttons 76, 77 are in the paths of their travel. It will be apparent from the foregoing that during each revolution of the cylinder, the switch 72 will be momentarily closed by the actuator 74 and the switch 73 will be momentarily closed by the actuator 75. The particular instant at which the closing of each switch occurs during a single revolution of the cylinder may be varied by simply varying the positions of the actuators relative to the cylinder, that is, by shifting the pointers 86 of the actuators over the circumferential markings 81. As a practical matter, these markings may be one-third of an inch apart, so that if the cylinder has a circumference of ten inches and has a master sheet wrapped around the entire circumference thereof, the aforementioned spaces or strips 49 extending transversely of the master sheet are divided into thirty portions or sections, as indicated at 84 in FIGURE 21. On the other hand, if the cylinder is of a greater diameter and circumference so that the master sheet does not extend completely therearound, the markings 81 may be provided only on that portion of the circumference of the cylinder which is coextensive with the master sheet, so that the master sheet again is divided into the thirty portions 84. The markings 81 are so arranged that marking number 1 is coincident with the leading edge of the master sheet and marking number 30 coincides with the trailing edge, as

10 the sheet passes through the machine. Of course, a greater or lesser number of markings may be utilized (other than thirty), the foregoing being given only as an example wherein the number of markings is coordinated with the width of the strips 40 so that the individual portions 84 of the strips are each one-third of an inch square.

Referring now to FIGURE 20, the upper portion of the Wiring diagram herein illustrated is the same as that in FIGURE 11 and requires no further description. However, in this instance, the electromagnets 29 are energized by direct current from a rectifier 85 which is actuated by alternating current in the conductors 61, 63. (If desired, this same arrangement may also be used in FIG- URE 11, since direct current actuation eliminates vibration and noise in the operation of the electro-magnets.) In any event, the several magnets 29, connected in series with their respective actuating relays 56, are connected in parallel to a pair of conductors 86, 87 which, in turn are connected in series with a holding relay 88 to the rectifier 85, as shown.

The relay 88, similar in arrangement to the relays 56, has the winding thereof energized by alternating current passing through conductors 89, connected with the conductors 61, 63, respectively, the conductor 89 having in circuit therewith the aforementioned switch 72 while the conductor 90 carries current passing through a releasing relay 91, similar in arrangement to the aforementioned relay 67. The relay 88 is open when the switch 72 is open, and vice versa, while the relay 91 is closed when the switch 73 is open, and vice versa, the winding of the relay 91 being energized by alternating current through conductors 92, 93 in circuit with the conductors 61, 63, respectively, and the conductor 92 carrying current passing through the switch 73, as will be readily apparent.

In operation, when for example it is desired to block out portions of the master indicated by cross-hatching in FIGURE 21, those of the switches 41 are closed which correspond to the particular of the strips 40 of the sheet 37 in which strips the portions to be blocked out are located. The closing of the switches 41 actuates the corresponding relays 56 so as to permit flow of direct current from the rectifier 85 through the magnets 29, but the magnets do not become energized as long as the switch 72 is open, which prevents flow of current from the rectifier through the relay 38. However, with the actuators 74, 75 set at predetermined points on the cylinder 18 corresponding to the starting and terminal points of the portions to be blocked out, when the cylinder is rotated and the master sheet thereon reaches the position where blocking out is to commence, the actuator 74 will momentarily close the switch 72, thus closing the relay 88 and energizing the magnets 29 corresponding to the particular of the switches 41 which were already closed. Thus, the blocking out action will continue to the terminal point of the portion to be blocked out, at which time the actuator 75 will close the switch 73 which, in turn, will open the relay 91, thus causing the relay 88 to open and de-energize the magnets 29. Thereupon, continued rotation of the cylinder 18 will permit the master to duplicate on the copy, but it is to be noted that with the switches 41 remaining closed, the same setting for blocking out purposes is retained for the subsequent copies to be run through the machine, until such time as this setting is cancelled by actuation of the switch 52.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in this manner it is possible to block out areas of any desired length and width on the master sheet, as long as such areas aTe aligned longitudinally of the sheet so that the blocking out action may be accomplished jointly by actuation of any one or several of the magnets 29.

On certain occasions it may be desirable to block out two or more circumferentially spaced portions 84 in the same strip or strips 40, as indicated by cross-hatching in FIGURE 22. For this purpose means illustrated in FIGURES 1520 are employed, either in substitution for or together with the means shown in FIGURES 13 and 14.

The means illustrated in FIGURES 15-20 involve the provision of a drum 94 which is rotatably mounted in the frame 16 adjacent and preferably parallel to the cylinder 18 on a suitable shaft 95 driven by gearing 96, or the like, from the cylinder shaft 17. The drum 94 is formed from insulating material and, as is best shown in FIG- URE 16, has two sets of electrical contacts or studs 97, 98 provided in its peripheral wall, the contacts in each set being electrically connected together by conductors '99, 100, respectively, and to a pair of collector rings 101, 102, respectively, on the shaft 95. If the strips 40, as alreadily exemplified, are to be capable of being blocked out in any one or any combination of the thirty portions 84, thirty of the contacts 97, 98 are provided in each set, spaced longitudinally as well as circumferentially of the drum 94, as illustrated.

The circumferential spacing of the contacts in each set corresponds to the one-third inch length, for example, of each of the portions 84 of the strips 40 of the master sheet 37, so that the circumferential span of the contacts in each set conforms to the circumferential span of the master sheet on the cylinder 18.

An insulating bar 103 is suitably mounted adjacent and in parallel to the drum 94- and carries two sets of resilient brushes 104, 105 which are arranged in a row and are adapted to electrically engage the contacts 97, 98 in the respective sets, when rotation is imparted to the drum 94. The individual brushes 104, 105 are secured to the bar 103 by suitable screws 106 which also serve as terminals for two sets of conductors 107, 108 which are connected to the respective brushes in the two sets. The conductors 107, 108, in turn, are connected to two sets of manually operable, make-and-break switches 109, 110 which are mounted in two rows at one side of the aforementioned copy feed table or platform 51, as shown.

The bar 103 also carries a pair of collector brushes 111, 112 which engage the respective collector rings 101, 102 and have conductors 113, 114, respectively, connected thereto, whereby, on one hand, the conductor 113 is in circuit with the ring 101, the conductor 100, the contacts 98, brushes 105 and switches 110 which are connected in parallel to a conductor 115. On the other hand, the conductor 114 is in circuit with the ring 102, the conductor 99, the contacts 97, brushes 104 and switches 109 which are connected in parallel to a conductor 116. The conductors 114 and 116 are connected in parallel to the aforementioned switch 72, while the conductors 113, 115 are connected in parallel to the switch 73, it being apparent from the foregoing that the switch means afforded by the contacts 97 and brushes 104 may be used in substitution for the switch 72 to energize the relay 88 and, similarly, the switch means afforded by the contacts 98 and brushes 105 may be used in substitution for the switch 73 to energize the relay 91, although situations may exist when it may be desirable to utilize both the switch means 97, 104 and 98, 105 as well as the switches 72, 73, in the same machine, as will be hereinafter explained.

The manually actuated switches 109, 110 are disposed at one side of the table 51 immediately adjacent a master sheet which may be placed on the table for the purpose of facilitating setting of these switches, in coordination with the pattern of the areas to be blocked out. The

switches 109, 110 are normally open, but when it is de-.

sired to block out a certain portion of a strip on the master sheet, the particular of the switches 41 corresponding to the location of that strip 40 is closed and the particular of the switches 109 corresponding to the starting point of the area to be blocked out is also closed. Also, the particular of the switches 110 corresponding to the terminal point of the portion of the strip to be blocked out is also closed, and if the blocked out area is to extend over several of the strips 40, either adjacent or spaced 12 apart, the appropriate of the switches 41 are closed, as desired. 2

The operation is the same as that already described in connection with FIGURES 13 and 14, in the sense that closing of the switches 41 will actuate the relays 56 so as to permit current to flow from the rectifier through the magnets 29, but the magnets will not become energized as long as the switch means 97, 104 are open, which prevents the fiow of current from the rectifier through the relay. Upon closing of any one of the switches 109, when the drum 94 is rotated so that the brush 104 associated with that particular switch engages the corresponding of the contacts 97, current will fiow momentarily through the relay 88 to close the same and energize the magnets 29. Moreover, by closing one of the switches 110 which is located beyond the closed switch 109 in the direction of travel of the master sheet on the cylinder, continued rotation of the drum will bring one of the contacts 98 in engagement with one of the brushes associated with the particular closed switch 109, thus causing current to flow momentarily through the relay 91 and opening the same, thus also opening the relay 88 and deenergizing the magnets 29.

Thus, blocking out of the master sheet will occur during the interval of rotation of the cylinder '18 and drum 94 between the contact 97 of the closed switch 109 and the contact 98 of the closed switch 110, and it is to be particularly noted that by virtue of the groups of switches 109, 110, it is possible to block out several circumferentially spaced portions in the same strip' on the master sheet, as exemplified in FIGURE 22.

In addition, the control arrangement of FIGURES 15- 19 has the advantage over the arrangement of FIGURES 13, 14, that the switches 109, 110 are easily accessible and may be quickly and conveniently set as desired, without requiring adjustment of the actuators 74, 75, relative to the cylinder 18. However, the arrangement of FIG- URES 13, 14 has the advantage of facilitating setting of the starting and terminal points of the area to be blocked out between the individual markings 81 as well as directly on them, while such intermediate settings are not possible with the switches 109, 110.

Finally, it may be noted that by employing separate relays 88, 91 for each of the magnets 29 (rather than for the entire set of parallel connected magnets as shown in FIGURE 20), it is possible to block out areas spaced circumferentially or staggered as between the individual strips 40, when several of the switches 41 are closed.

In some instances it may not be convenient because of space limitation, or the like, to utilize the drum 94 of FIGURE 15, and in such instances a somewhat modified arrangement shown in FIGURES 23-27 may be employed. In such an arrangement the drum 94 is omitted, but two discs 120, 121 of insulating material are secured to the shaft 17 at one end of the cylinder 18 for rotation therewith.

The discs 120, 121 are provided with sets of concentric grooves 122 and with sets of metallic contacts 123, 124, respectively, which are intersected by the grooves, the contacts being spaced radially as well as circumferentially on the discs. The contacts 123, 124 are provided at the back side of the discs with screw-threaded means 125 for securing in place conductor strips 126, 127 which electrically connect the respective contacts 123, 124 together. The conductors 126, 127 are extended to a pair of collector rings 128, 129, respectively, associated with the respective discs 120, 121, and the collector rings 128, 129 are contacted by brushes 130, 131, respectively, in circuit with the aforementioned conductors 113, 114, as will be readily apparent from FIGURE 27.

A pair of upstanding carrier bars 132 of insulating material are secured to the frame of the machine adjacent the respective discs 120, 121, each bar being provided with a set of transverse bores 133 having frictionally fitted therein end portions 134 of spring wire rods constituting 13 brushes 135, 136. These brushes have angulated extremities 137 which ride in the grooves 122 of the discs 120, 121, the brushes 135 engaging the disc 120 While the brushes 136 engage the disc 121. The brushes 135, 136 are in circuit with the aforementioned conductors 107, 108, respectively.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the discs 120, 121 are rotated by the shaft 17, the contacts 123, 124 will successively come into electrical engagement with the respective brushes 135, 136 so that by closing the appropriate of the switches 109, 110, the magnets 29 may be energized and de-energized :to block out one or more circumferentially spaced portions in the same strip of the master sheet, as exemplified in FIGURE 22. In other words, the arrangement of FIGURES 23-27 operates in exactly the same manner as that of FIGURE 15, with the structural distinction of employing the discs 12%, 121 in place of the drum 94.

While in the foregoing there have been described and shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, various other modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder, an impression roller provided adjacent said cylinder for cooperation therewith and comprising a plurality of individual roller sections disposed in substantial axial alignment longitudinally of said cylinder, said roller sections being provided with central openings, at common rigid supporting shaft for said roller sections extending through said openings, said openings being larger than a cross-sectional dimension of said shaft whereby the roller sections may be individually and selectively moved radially of the shaft toward and away from said cylinder, a plurality of movably mounted holders for the respective roller sections, resilient means connected to said holders for urging the same in a direction to move the roller sections radially of said shaft toward said cylinder, a plurality of electro-magnets operatively connected to the respective holders for moving the roller sections away from the cylinder against the action of said resilient means, a plurality of manually operable switches in circuit with the respective electro-rnagnets and with a source of current whereby the electro-magnets may be independently and individually energized, and switch means responsive to rotation of said cylinder and in circuit with said electro-magnets and with the current source for alternately closing and opening the circuit through the electromagnets independently of said switches during rotation of the cylinder.

2. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder, an impression roller provided adjacent said cylinder for cooperation therewith and comprising a plurality of individual roller sections disposed in substantial axial alignment longitudinally of said cylinder, said roller sections being provided with central openings, a common rigid supporting shaft for said roller sections extending through said openings, said openings being larger than a cross-sectional dimension of said shaft whereby the roller sections may be individually and selectively moved radially of the shaft toward and away from said cylinder, a plurality of electro-magnets operatively connected to the respective roller sections for moving the same radially of the shaft, a plurality of relays in circuit with the respective electro-magnets, a plurality of manually operable switches in circuit with the respective relays and with a source of current whereby the electromagnets may be independently and individually energized, and switch means responsive to rotation of said cylinder and in circuit with said relays and with the current source for alternately closing and opening the circuit through the relays independently of said switches during rotation of the cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,034,208 Ritzerfeld Mar. 17, 1936 2,753,791 Thurmann July 10, 1956 2,787,212 Delplanque Apr. 2, 1957 2,896,534 Ritzerfeld et al. July 28, 1959 2,931,294 Ritzerfeld Apr. 5, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 735,181 Great Britain Aug. 17, 1955 

